iPod still hitting right note for retailers

Page Tools

The iPod phenomenon that many thought would peak after the
Christmas rush has maintained its momentum.

An eBay spokeswoman said sales of the portable music players
averaged about an hour on the Australian site, which currently
lists around 430 iPod and iPod accessory items. Trade in
second-hand iPods is also fuelling sales in the newer models.

Myer and Megamart electronics business manager Neil Merola said
there was no such thing as saturation point when it came to the
pocket-sized music player, with new stock constantly on order.

Mr Merola said since Christmas iPods had remained the best
single-selling product, with interest boosted by the introduction
of the cheaper-priced shuffle range.

"It hasn't stopped at all," he said. "The uptake has been
phenomenal . . . the growth for the MP3 market will continue to
grow two and three-fold over the next year or so."

In the United States, 22 million people own iPods, while about
4.4 million were sold in Australia last year. The gadget ranges in
price from $149 for the shuffle to $598 for the top-of-the-range
iPod with 60 gigabytes and a colour screen.

Mr Merola said there was a clear distinction between models.

He said the shuffle was being bought by parents for young
children, while the 20 gigabyte model was popular with the 17-plus
age group and the dearer iPod appealed to the 25-plus market.

"In a household you can quite easily have the 20 gigabyte and
then a couple of shuffles for the young ones." he said.

"And it's no different to the phenomenon we have had with TVs,
where the average home has multiple sets."

However, there is a darker side to the brightly coloured
iPod.

In recent months, New York officials have warned that iPods are
attracting the attention of thieves, particularly on the subway
system, with teenagers often targeted by other teenagers.

A Victorian police spokesman said there did not appear to be any
increase in iPod theft. Crime statistics were not specifically
collected on the music player.